Police in Peralta’s home city of La Ceiba have ruled out robbery as a motive as no belongings were taken.

Tragedy: Peralta was shot dead in front of his wife Vanessa after buying clothes for their baby daughter

Ibrox tribute: Peralta in action for Rangers (Image: Mark Runnacles)

Police Commissioner Leonel Sauceda said: “Apparently it was one or two individuals who were traveling in a vehicle – a motorcycle or car. “

The player’s father, Carlos Peralta said: “This is terrible. They killed my exemplary son. I can’t say more because of the pain I feel.’”

Peralta, who left Rangers in January, is the latest victim of violence in Honduras, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is blighted by gang warfare

Osman Madrid, director of Honduras’s national soccer federation, said: “This is a tragic death that the national sport mourns.”

Peralta was in the Honduras squad for the London Olympics in 2012 and had won 26 caps for his country.

He had been playing with the side Deportivo Olimpia in the capital Tegucigalpa and was on holiday after the end of the local football season.

He made 24 appearances for the Ibrox club between August 2013 and January 2015, scoring once.

Rangers will hold a minute’s silence in his memory before tomorrow’s Scottish Championship match against Morton. The players will also wear black armbands in his honour.

Harrowing: Peralta's wife Vanessa in tears on her knees by his body (Image: Enterprise)

National pride: Peralta had 26 caps for Honduras (Image: Getty)

The club said in a statement: “Rangers Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about former player Arnold Peralta.

“Our thoughts go out to Arnold’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd , who spent six months playing alongside Peralta, said: “It’s just tragic. I don’t really know the ins and outs of it, so all I can do is pass on my condolences to his family.

“He was always somebody who would come into training with a smile on his face. He worked hard and did everything to the best of his ability.

“I only knew Arnie for a few months but I knew exactly how he was as a person. The biggest tragedy for me is that there is a partner there now who will have to bring up a child by herself.”

Current Rangers striker Nicky Clark posted a picture of himself hugging Peralta on Twitter as well as the following message: ‘Horrible news this morning, rip Arnie.’

Peralta’s current side Olimpia also paid tribute to him, saying: “We deeply regret the death of our player Arnold Peralta. The Olympian family is mourning.”